Babies are really celebrated in Mali, tho things are done differently than in the states. When the baby is born there is rejoicing, as there is where you live. The mother will certainly have new clothes and probably a new hairdo—some elaborate networking of looping braids, maybe with extensions. But the baby is not given a name until there is a clebration of their arrival, and that is a BIG deal. Last night (and this morning) there was such a celebration at our neighbor's house just beyond our eastern wall.
Last Friday, Fanta (our cook) told me that a baby had been born to this family, and I went along to visit, later finding out that the infant was already 5 days old. An adorable tiny girl, black as coal and wrapped up in 'swaddling clothes”, was placed in my arms by the beaming mother. This is the neighbor that shared her tree branch to make the start of my “Good Neighbor Tree”, planted just inside our gate. Fanta wanted to show me that this was indeed a 'muso', and unwrapped the cloth to show me the evidence. As I held her, a prayer of blessing welled up in me for this new life that I held, and I prayed it over her- for honor and prosperity and knowledge of our great Matigi GOD. Asking the baby's name, they answered something that I did not understand. Thankfully I heard the word 'fete' , and remembering back to baby Natanial's birth earlier this summer, realized that the baby had not yet receivec her name.
Last night we heard the fete—until 2am and later!! The music was loud and raggae. The voices rose and fell again like waves on the seashore, following the swell as the music called. We have experienced these parties before in this neighborhood, for a birth or a wedding or other special event. We have discovered that if we shut all doors and windows on the party side of the house, we can sleep without too much interuption. This was the first such party that we were close enough to see the morning after events. The festivities continued well into daylight hours, with the guests, primarily men, sitting around small tables, eating and drinking. It looked like a sidewalk cafe.
I must go again and renew my acquaintance with baby Fanta. I found out the name this morning-- from our cook, Fanta, who gave me this important piece of information. This time the popular Malian name was given in honor of a family member - the child's paternal grandmother.
New clothes are a strong cultural value in Mali and take seem to take priority over many other purchases... Many celebration events are accompanied by new clothes. The colors are vibrant and patterns bold. They may be elaborate outfits of bisan cloth, a wax polished fabric that crinkles and crackles as one walks when it is new, telling all of your good fortune. I am told that here are specific prayers of blessing to be offered with the greeting of a friend you may meet who is dressed in such finery. Several of our church ladies have had 3 or 4 new outfits since we came in the spring. It seems that everybody gets new clothes for the big party at the end of Ramadan, and the tailors are busy for several weeks ahead of that event.
Long flowing robes are cooler in this extreme heat than fitted at the waist outfits-- so I am making a kaften or 2 for each of us. Yes, even Ray will wear a long duloki- a loose tunic type garment that falls to the knees or below. (Common menswear is a shirt and loose trousers outfit that would remind you of pajamas, made with some busy patterned material.)
We continue to be blessed and seek to be a blessing to those around us. I pray that you are the same!
MiminMali.
